We aim to give you the best experience possible – but also wish to respect your privacy. By clicking “I accept”, you agree to allow us to use cookies, which will help us deliver more personalised information. However, should you wish to disable this capability, or to learn more about our policy, please visit our Cookies policy. Thank you.

Hong Kong

If you’re planning a visit to Hong Kong – the home of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon – get ready for an exhilarating adventure. Comprising 70% pristine countryside and mountains, and with an intense metropolitan epicenter featuring the world’s largest number of skyscrapers, Hong Kong’s communion of city and natural landscape has the kind of visual appeal that hooks you from the get-go. While best encapsulated by the sight of a shimmering Victoria Harbour skyline, the spread of nature’s fingers is never far from view even in urban pockets. Stroll around bustling neighbourhoods and you may stumble across century-old Chinese banyans growing out of stone walls, offering shade and shelter to passers-by.

From shopping to bar-hopping, Hong Kong’s urban pleasures are world-class and plentiful – not least for the famous breadth of cuisine, ranging from local classics like dim sum, wonton noodles and pineapple buns, to chefy Michelin-star offerings. But this is not all. Hong Kong also offers abundant opportunities for hiking, cycling, surfing, camping, and dragon boat racing, often not more than an hour away from busy downtown areas. Trips to beaches, mountains, and outlying islands are rendered seamless by efficient transport links, from an excellent metro system to buses, ferries, minibuses, and a 110-year-old tram service nicknamed ‘Ding Ding’.

1/10Any experience of Hong Kong is made richer by a ride aboard the green-and-white Star Ferry, a brief 10-minute journey that takes you past postcard-worthy views. The ferry service, around since the 19th century, has quite recently pledged to go green.

2/10Whether its shrimp dumplings really do have the rumoured 13 pleats of a ‘perfect’ specimen, Hong Kong is a winner when it comes to authentic dim sum. But don’t forget, these tasty tidbits are only part of the vast repertoire of Cantonese cooking, a cuisine celebrated, deservedly, for its sophistication.

3/10Dozens of dragon boat races take place in waterways throughout Hong Kong from spring to winter, and on weekends, even office workers and students take up paddles. Though dragon boat has become athleticized somewhat in the 21st century, traditions evoking its ritualistic origins are still very much alive in Hong Kong, as you’ll notice.

4/10If you know Hong Kong solely as a ‘bustling metropolis’, it may come as a surprise that the hiking here is world-class – the city is blessed with a varied and beautiful landscape that rises from sandy beaches through open grasslands and subtropical woodlands to windy peaks just why of 1,000 metres.

5/10Hidden in Hong Kong’s ultra-modern cityscape are delightful nuggets of history like this circular footbridge built at the turn of the last century. Appearing often as a backdrop in movies, the photogenic structure hovers just above a busy tram station in Causeway Bay.

6/10You’re unlikely to leave without buying anything in Hong Kong – so vast is the range of merchandize on offer here, fitting so many pocket sizes, and with so many ways to splurge, from sprawling markets to niche boutiques and luxury malls.

7/10At the Mid-Autumn Festival, a dragon aglow with lit incense sticks dances its way through the tranquil neighbourhood of Tai Hang. Three hundred men and women are involved in the performance of this cacophonous, smoke-filled event. Beware of flying embers and stomping feet.

8/10A remnant of the age of steam, the former Kowloon-Canton Railway clock tower (1915) in Tsim Sha Tsui strikes a handsome pose in its location between the pink tiles of the Cultural Centre and the blue of Victoria Harbour, especially at sunset.

9/10At festivals, Cantonese opera is performed throughout Hong Kong in temporary bamboo theatres, large sheds built using the time-honoured technique of bamboo scaffolding. If you attend a show, you may notice large, brightly coloured floral boards placed conspicuously above the entrance – these are gifts to the actors and the troupe.

10/10Craft beer is in vogue in Hong Kong, and so are sochu, whisky, vodka, gin and cocktails. Similarly there are a multitude of ways to enjoy your drink – you can revel with the crowds in Soho, the city’s party hub, or soar above it all, and imbibe over dizzying views at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.

1/10

Any experience of Hong Kong is made richer by a ride aboard the green-and-white Star Ferry, a brief 10-minute journey that takes you past postcard-worthy views. The ferry service, around since the 19th century, has quite recently pledged to go green.

2/10

Whether its shrimp dumplings really do have the rumoured 13 pleats of a ‘perfect’ specimen, Hong Kong is a winner when it comes to authentic dim sum. But don’t forget, these tasty tidbits are only part of the vast repertoire of Cantonese cooking, a cuisine celebrated, deservedly, for its sophistication.

3/10

Dozens of dragon boat races take place in waterways throughout Hong Kong from spring to winter, and on weekends, even office workers and students take up paddles. Though dragon boat has become athleticized somewhat in the 21st century, traditions evoking its ritualistic origins are still very much alive in Hong Kong, as you’ll notice.

4/10

If you know Hong Kong solely as a ‘bustling metropolis’, it may come as a surprise that the hiking here is world-class – the city is blessed with a varied and beautiful landscape that rises from sandy beaches through open grasslands and subtropical woodlands to windy peaks just why of 1,000 metres.

5/10

Hidden in Hong Kong’s ultra-modern cityscape are delightful nuggets of history like this circular footbridge built at the turn of the last century. Appearing often as a backdrop in movies, the photogenic structure hovers just above a busy tram station in Causeway Bay.

6/10

You’re unlikely to leave without buying anything in Hong Kong – so vast is the range of merchandize on offer here, fitting so many pocket sizes, and with so many ways to splurge, from sprawling markets to niche boutiques and luxury malls.

7/10

At the Mid-Autumn Festival, a dragon aglow with lit incense sticks dances its way through the tranquil neighbourhood of Tai Hang. Three hundred men and women are involved in the performance of this cacophonous, smoke-filled event. Beware of flying embers and stomping feet.

8/10

A remnant of the age of steam, the former Kowloon-Canton Railway clock tower (1915) in Tsim Sha Tsui strikes a handsome pose in its location between the pink tiles of the Cultural Centre and the blue of Victoria Harbour, especially at sunset.

9/10

At festivals, Cantonese opera is performed throughout Hong Kong in temporary bamboo theatres, large sheds built using the time-honoured technique of bamboo scaffolding. If you attend a show, you may notice large, brightly coloured floral boards placed conspicuously above the entrance – these are gifts to the actors and the troupe.

10/10

Craft beer is in vogue in Hong Kong, and so are sochu, whisky, vodka, gin and cocktails. Similarly there are a multitude of ways to enjoy your drink – you can revel with the crowds in Soho, the city’s party hub, or soar above it all, and imbibe over dizzying views at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.

Things to do

One of the world’s culinary capitals, Hong Kong has bagged an extraordinary number of Michelin stars. It’s not only big-name Cantonese or French chefs thus honoured, but also noodle shops and barbecue joints. The city’s Chinese heritage, international character, and the locals’ passion for food make for some of the most memorable and varied eating experiences in the entire world. The dominant cuisine here is Cantonese and you’ll find tantalizing examples all over the city. Dim sum and seafood, in particular, are exceptional. Other regional Chinese and non-Chinese cooking styles are also well represented. Broadly speaking, Central and Sheung Wan offer authentic European and Asian fusion of the upmarket variety. Wan Chai is foodie heaven for mid-range dining while Causeway Bay is known for its Japanese establishments. In Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui lays claim to the peninsula’s most competent and versatile kitchen. While neighbourhoods further north are home to cheap but delectable local fare. New Territories is the home of hearty walled village cuisine.

Hong Kong’s trendiest party zone is centred around Hollywood Road, which is connected to Central’s financial heart by the Mid-Levels Escalator, the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system. Watering-holes here run the gamut from British-style pubs through wine and whisky bars to hipster cocktail lounges. Increasingly, fashionable bars and cafes are sprouting further west, in Sheung Wan and Kennedy Town. Wan Chai has an eclectic assortment of drinking venues that include Irish pubs, hidden dives, even hostess bars from a bygone era. Tsim Sha Tsui is where to go for a more local drinking experience.

Things to do

A city where Asian and western cultures have engaged with each other for centuries, Hong Kong lays claim to a plethora of sights and landmarks reflecting those unique experiences. You will find here splendid temples and monasteries of a Buddhist or Taoist persuasion, enchanting old shops and sprightly markets. Traditional festivals, some Unesco-crowned, are very much alive, with an impressive number of young people taking part in celebrations. Yet Hong Kong is also home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring skyscrapers and buildings in Neo-classical, Gothic, and a glut of other colonial styles dot the landscape. Some retain their original functions, others have been repurposed into art hubs, museums and hotels. Also remnants of colonial days are the Star Ferry, the tram service, and the Peak Tram – three modes of transport that are wonderfully scenic, full of history, and eco-friendly to boot. Hong Kong is a city that thrives on contrast and complexity. To help put things into context are dozens of museums on topics from pre-history, through art and teaware, to coastal defence and Hong Kong cinema.

Things to do

Hong Kong presents a thousand ways to relax and invigorate. Luxury spas at five-star hotels offer an array of relaxation and beauty treatments in elegant environs. At the city’s massage parlours, you can opt for a ‘feel-good’ kneading session, or indulge in something intense like deep-tissue or acupuncture-point massage. Foot reflexology is very popular here. The regimen works under the theory that there are various reflex zones on the soles of our feet, each corresponding to an organ in the body, and that rhythmically pushing and prodding the zones correctly restores energy flow to the organ. Lesser known therapies like cupping, acupuncture and skin scraping are also available, should you wish to try.

Some say there’s nothing like nature to restore one’s inner balance or qi. Opportunities to do so abound in Hong Kong, from fine beaches and parks where you can read, swim, meditate or simply go for a nice long walk, to nature reserves where you can see indigenous flora and fauna on full display and migratory birds in action. If wellness for you means being engaged, you can hone your yoga practice at a studio, or take lessons in martial arts, for its mind-balancing benefits if nothing else, from a real master.

Things to do

Mention ‘day trip’ in Hong Kong and Macau, the charming former Portuguese colony on the South China coast, springs to mind. The city is only an hour’s bob on the hydrofoil from Hong Kong. You can certainly spend days there, gorging on fried bacalhau and pastéis de nata, exploring Unesco-listed monuments, and checking out the art and music scene. You can also try your luck at the mega casinos that gave Macau the nickname ‘Vegas of the East’. That said, you can just as easily spend half a day or more in Hong Kong. Hiking here is world-class with trails cutting through subtropical woodlands, over windy ridges, and past villages and beaches. Heritage trails in the New Territories invite you to immerse yourself in the city’s early history; while outlying islands, reachable by ferry, await with idyllic settlements and glorious seafood. You can also explore the seaside communities in and around the historic Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter or those of charming Sai Kung. If you prefer to experience Hong Kong by sea, join a relaxing harbour cruise or a kayaking trip that combines sightseeing and sports. And of course, a tour of the mind-blowing Hong Kong Unesco Geopark would be the highlight of any trip.

Things to do

Hong Kong’s reputation as a retail heaven needs little introduction. All international brands you can name and some you can’t, have outlets here, likely in a shopping mall. Upmarket malls are very sleek and carry top-tier brand-name boutiques and luxury stores. Occupying the other end of the spectrum are mini-malls dedicated to gadgetry, antiques, fashion, or some deliciously obscure collectible. They are supplemented by the street-level shops and boutiques of local retailers. Sheung Wan is your best bet for art and antique browsing, while the most interesting fashion can be found in Central, Sheung Wan, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. If shopping isn’t quite your thing, Hong Kong’s lively entertainment scene will definitely have something you like. The schedule of imported music, theatre and dance is stellar and features a multitude of styles and genres. The Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and Clockenflap music festival are annual highlights. Adding to this is a weekly line-up of exciting shows by local artists and performers. You may also want to have a go at watching Cantonese opera – it is, after all, inscribed on the Unesco Intangible Heritage list. If you happen to be here on a Wednesday, don’t miss the exhilaration of night-time horse-racing at the Happy Valley Races.

Things to do

Things to do

We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.

Do

Stanley for the family

A beachside hangout with a cosmopolitan vibe, Stanley has plenty in store whether you’re into water sports, history, or just looking to chill. At its core is Stanley Market, a sprawl of clothing and lifestyle shops separated from the sea by the Stanley Waterfront Promenade. Further up are a square encircled by child-friendly stores, and the 19th century Murray House, now occupied by restaurants. Stanley main beach hugs the eastern coastline. You can rent kayaks and SUP boards here, or hire an instructor to teach you or your child. Southern Stanley offers an old military cemetery, the historic St Stephen’s College, and – as a welcome respite from the day’s excitement – the tranquility of St Stephen’s Beach.

Besides shuttling passengers across Victoria Harbour, the Star Ferry also operates tours of the harbour and beyond, which you can combine with sightseeing at pick-up and drop-off points for a memorable day. One tour brings you – aboard Hong Kong’s very first smoke-free, eco-friendly ferry – from Tsim Sha Tsui to the Disneyland Resort pier, past jaw-droppers, Tsing Ma Bridge and a container terminal. Another heads to a fishing and seafood village via an awe-inspiring cruise terminal. If time is short, simply soak up the sunset (or the Symphony of Lights laser show) from Victoria Harbour on an air-conditioned faux-1920s Star Ferry vessel.

Kubrick is a bright little bookshop in Yau Ma Tei with a thoughtful collection on film, photography, art and design. You’ll also find definitive works in literary and cultural studies, and other intellectual tomes. Swindon is a long-standing old-style bookstore in Tsim Sha Tsui catering to tourists and students – fiction, travel, cooking, children’s reading, and books on Hong Kong. Located in Causeway Bay, the Hong Kong flagship of Taiwan import Eslite spans three floors and over 40,000 sq feet. About a third of the publications are in English, but there’s plenty to browse, especially in the arts and humanities, and children’s reading. Eslite also has a café, a gallery and a lifestyle store, which means you can basically spend the whole day here.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is one of the world’s strongest film festivals. For three weeks straddling Easter, film buffs from all over Asia arrive in town for the superbly curated selection of arthouse and award-winning titles, and attend talks by the likes of directors Wong Kar-wai and Werner Herzog. Hong Kong’s top arthouse cinema is Broadway Cinematheque, located next door to Kubrick bookstop. The cinema has a DVD store specializing in arthouse titles, from Cannes winners to that obscure but brilliant drama you’ve always wanted to see. Hardcore fans of Hong Kong cinema should visit the excellent Hong Kong Film Archive, a treasure trove of printed and audiovisual materials on all aspects of the city’s rich cinematic history.

Like many ancient art forms, Cantonese opera, a Unesco Intangible Heritage, may take the uninitiated some getting used to. But the sumptuous costumes and elaborate face-painting, and the combination of singing, acting, recitation and acrobatics can be fascinating. The historic Yau Ma Tei Theatre which you’ll recognize by its Art Deco façade and Chinese pitched roof is dedicated to the performance of the art, as is the 1970s-built Sunbeam Theatre in North Point. Alternatively, you may be able to catch an aria (or an extract of one) at Temple Street Night Market – under the stars and free-of-charge, but without the costumes and the action.

Pure Veggie House impresses with meatless dim sum, homey casseroles, a slew of Cantonese and Sichuanese stir-fries, and lavish vegan hotpots – all exquisitely made and served in pleasant faux-period surrounds. Woodlands has kept Tsim Sha Tsui’s south Asian and Chinese communities happy with delicious dosa, sambar and idli since 1981. Now even travelers join the queue for a table on weekends. Hip and eco-friendly, Mana! Fast Slow Food is the unofficial canteen of yogis, models and bankers in the area. Green smoothies, za’atar-dressed flatbread, and raw confectionary are its main charms, as is being just a roll and tumble from the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator.

Yoga, with its ability to restore inner peace, is popular among Hong Kong’s hardworking professional community. Iyengar Yoga Centre in Sheung Wan and Yoga Union in Central are conveniently located studios that forego the trimmings of a sleek modern-day gym for more yoga classes by well-trained instructors. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced yogi, you’ll likely find something to suit your needs. Both studios are flexible about short-term enrolment and drop-ins. Large fitness chain Pure Fitness has branches at nine locations in the city, offering regular classes in yoga, pilates, and a plethora of things that includes TRX and pole-dancing. The studios and showering facilities here are top-notch.

There’s plenty for families with kids to see in Hong Kong. Youngsters will enjoy the exhilaration of the Peak Tram’s close-to-vertical ascent, and the sights from the tram, upper floor first row, in particular. The huge children’s gallery at the Heritage Museum has a neat vintage toy collection and a mosaic of educational games. The Space Museum is strong in interactive, hands-on experiences related to space travel and the universe, and shows Omnimax films in the dome theatre. Youngsters from toddlers to pre-teens get excited over the physics, chemistry and engineering demos at the Science Museum. Young train fans will have a field day at the quaint Railway Museum, converted from a real station.
* The Space Museum is reopening in late April 2018 after a makeover.

The majority of spas offer facials and manicures, dexterous fingers flitting over your face and hands while you’re wrapped in a herbal cocoon. Flawless in Central, however, is dedicated to facials and has ‘consultants’ who will check your skin-type and determine the right treatment for you. Those who want something in-depth and prefer invasive treatments to be carried out by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, should make an appointment with the English-speaking Central Health medical practice. Their cosmetic surgeon is experienced in a spectrum of treatments from Botox and fillers, to Sculptra and tummy tucks.

You can of course zip over to Lamma for a decadent seafood feast at one of the alfresco seafront restaurants, as many do. But you can also spend two days here exploring the main villages of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan with their quaint ‘new age’ shops and vegan cafes, and hiking the gentle Lamma Family Trail. Better still, if you’re an experienced kayaker, attempt the eight-hour sea kayaking and hiking tour which comprises 8km of paddling the cliff-framed East Lamma Channel, and hiking a gentle coastal trail for a few hours past some truly stunning scenery.

Champagne flows free on weekends at Duddell’s, a stylish Cantonese restaurant designed by British Ilse Crawford. Ingredients in the dim sum is high-brow: think black truffle, foie gras and caviar. Book a table in the lush garden terrace for fine days, or bask indoors among the artwork and chic contemporary furniture. Brunch is an tantalizing smorgasbord at Ozone, a bar on the 118th floor of the Ritz-Carlton that allows diners unparalleled panoramas as they gorge on the likes of jamón ibérico and Boston lobster. Or there’s Whisk in Kowloon, a buzzy spot that features a dedicated cheese and dessert room at its Sunday brunch.

The revered Luk Yu Tea House is a famed establishment dating back to 1933 that serves classic Cantonese fare in a gorgeous Chinese Art Deco setting. Culinary tradition and quality of ingredients are equally honoured at Seventh Son, one of the most sophisticated Cantonese kitchens in town, as the dim sum will tell you. At 28th floor Above and Beyond, stellar Chinese cuisine is paired with lofty views across Hong Kong. Their signature dish? The commonplace ‘char siu’ (barbecued pork), but made with juicy Kagoshima pork. For something noisy and delicious, old-school Lin Heung Tea House offers communal tables, dim sum pushcarts, and authentic tidbits at pocket-friendly prices.

If you’re not in a hurry, the best way to explore the northern coast of Hong Kong Island is by tram. The charming double-decker vehicles, affectionately known as ‘Ding Ding’, clang along 16km of track between the island’s eastern and western ends through intriguing neighbourhoods you wouldn’t see riding the metro. Hong Kong’s tram service has been in operation since the early 1900s, and remains the city’s cheapest and and most eco-friendly form of transport, with the Star Ferry soon becoming a rival for that title. Visitors can also take the hour-long TramOramic Tour and experience the city with an audio guide on an open-top, faux-vintage tram.

The cartoon-themed dim sum at Dim Sum Icon are fun, yummy and Instagrammable – poke the bun with a chopstick and Garfield will squirt custard from his nostril, or chocolate from another orifice. You get the idea. Themes have included Sponge Bob, Gudetama, and Little Twin Stars. Zuma’s weekend brunch has something for the whole clan – free-flow Ruinart for grown-ups, adorable snacks and a play area for kids, sushi for everyone. A guilt-free beer or two is possible with kids in tow. The unpretentious Club 71 has a welcoming Bohemian vibe and a small park out front where children can run around and play with cats – juice, peanuts and crisps their fuel while you enjoy yourself.

The Former Marine Police Headquarters (c.1884) in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of Hong Kong’s most important and captivating colonial buildings. The compound houses a hotel, but you can enter to check out the the ball tower, stable, and shelter tunnel. The Court of Final Appeal Building with its Neo-classical columns, was built with locally quarried granite. Blind-folded Themis stands atop the pediment. Most locals know it as the Former Legislative Council Building as it was the seat of the government’s legislative arm from 1985 to 2011. Services have been held at St. John’s Cathedral since 1849. Featuring an English Gothic style, it’s one of Asia’s oldest Anglican churches.

You can spend days exploring Hong Kong’s largest island. There are hiking trails traversing through mountainous country parks and fishing villages with stilt houses, but also monasteries and Boho havens where you can just zone out and relax. Cheung Sha Beach in the south is Hong Kong's longest stretch of sand, and a popular spot with water sport enthusiasts – visitors can also book lessons in water skiing, windsurfing and sea-kayaking. For scenic views of a different kind, head to the magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge, a long suspension bridge connecting Lantau Island with tiny Tsing Yi Island. There is a viewing platform on the Tsing Yi side.

DDPs are food stalls, traditionally en plein air, but increasingly hawker centre-style. On Stanley Street in hipster heaven Soho, Sing Kee’s chef whips up garlic prawns like a demon in a metal booth while beer and conversation flow at tables on the sidewalk. Fresh cheap seafood is the hallmark of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre. Buy your razor clam from the market one floor down and Pak Kee or Chu Kee will toss it into the wok. Enormous Tai Po Hui Market Cooked Food Centre is crammed with dozens of stalls serving anything from fishball noodles and congee to hotpot and Pad Thai. Grab a seat and order anything and everything you like.

Board the historic Peak Tram and head at a near-vertical angle up the famed Victoria Peak. Asia’s oldest funicular has been rattling its way up the hillside since the late 19th century. As the highest point on Hong Kong island, the Peak, at 550m, offers stellar views across the island’s skyscrapers and tenement buildings, then past the harbour to Kowloon and the mountains beyond. The Peak Tower has a viewing platform while the Peak Galleria offers coffee shops and handicraft shops. A replica of the earliest carriage and a brief history of the Peak Tram can be found in the lower terminus.

Cosy Neighbourhood creates French bistro-type dishes that revolve around seasonal local produce. Chef David Lai scours markets daily for the best catch and cut. Even humble ingredients like eggs (with truffle shavings no less) taste impeccable at Neighbourhood, but Lai is also known to be a consummate cockscomb and offal tamer. Ask about the daily specials. A monochrome interior and short menu descriptors belie the startling complexity of the French dishes at acclaimed Akrame. Lobster is flavoured with smoky charcoal, a nod to the chef’s childhood in Algeria, and it’s brilliant. Deep-pocketed diners should head to 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, a Michelin-star restaurant that has been deemed the best Italian cooking outside of Italy. Expect decadence.

Lane Crawford has dressed Hong Kong’s wealthiest since 1850. These days, the department store’s specialized approach has ensured its continuing dominance as the city’s purveyor of luxury goods. Its carefully curated selection now includes jewellery, beauty, and home goods, in addition to a fabulous lineup of international clothing brands. The clue’s in the name at EDIT, a small boutique that prides itself on sourcing a thoughtfully edited array of designer brands, vintage pieces, and unusual items plucked straight from international markets and bazaars. Get glammed up at ABoutique, an achingly cool clothing store with a selection of contemporary labels from around the world. Keen to promote personal style, the owners stock under-the-radar brands alongside more established designers.

Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street is one sagging kilometre of stalls and shops, stuffed with cheap clothes, trinkets and homeware for all genders and ages. The atmospheric Cat Street Market in Sheung Wan is the place for decorative curios and mock antiques (though there are real ones too). Browse strolling or squatting, and remember to haggle. Or enter one of the shops and sip tea while they unlock the cabinet with the imperial vase to show you. A paradise for home chefs and foodies, the sweeping Western Wholesale Food Market at Fung Mat Road has 500 stalls selling fruits, vegetables, spices, seafood and meat. Bring your suitcase – it’s great for bulk purchases.

Disneyland Hong Kong is a fantasy kingdom filled with Disney characters, magical worlds, and entertaining theme park rides. With seven fantastical lands to explore, the park offers a slew of attractions from the sweet to the spine-chilling. Its more-than-worthy rival, Hong Kong’s own Ocean Park, is larger in size and teems with attractions – thrill rides, fictitious rainforest and polar environments, a mind-blowing aquarium, and crowd magnets – two giant pandas. What’s more the park’s headland and lowland sections are connected by a retro cable-car system with picturesque views of the sea and surrounding islands.

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is a feast of music and performance arts by hundreds of top names worldwide, like the Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Shakespeare Company, the Buena Vista Social Club, and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Hong Kong’s largest outdoor music festival is Clockenflap, an exhilarating three-day celebration of mostly indie (and thereabouts) music, right on the Central harbourfront. Clockenflap’s cousin is the Hong Kong edition of Barcelona’s Sónar festival, with its hallmark emphasis on electronic music and multimedia technology. Artists featured include French deep house producer Laurent Garnier and Japanese post-rockers Mouse on the Keys.

SOGO, Hong Kong’s largest Japanese-style department store, is heaven for retail addicts, with 18 floors of shops in its flagship store in Causeway Bay. Times Square is another popular choice, with 230 stores, elaborate seasonal displays and installations, and an annual New Year countdown that attracts roughly 100,000 people. Shoppers in Tsim Sha Tsui should check out the massive Harbour City, which stretches from Victoria Harbour along a good section of Canton Road, then wander on to K11, a much smaller mall nearby that promotes the work of young local artists in its multi-dimensional spaces.

Hong Kong Dolphin Watch runs four-hour ecological tours to see the endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins aka Chinese white dolphins. A resident species in Hong Kong, these pinkish creatures can be sighted all year round. The 270-hectare Mai Po Nature Reserve is a wetland haven for thousands of migratory birds. To visit, you need to book online for a guided tour. Alternatively the smaller Hong Kong Wetland Park has a similar set-up with broadwalks through swamps and facilities for observing the birds. In the urban area, Lung Fu Shan, a small park behind the University of Hong Kong, attracts plenty of forest birds and bird-watchers. It is also the site of an old military fort.

Great for giving context to your Hong Kong experience, the Museum of History covers prehistory, the various dynasties, and modern Hong Kong. Colourful replicas and dioramas add interest. The well-curated sections on the four ethnic groups and urban culture are highlights. China’s 2000-year maritime history and the growth of the Port of Hong Kong are detailed in 15 galleries at the excellent Maritime Museum. Ceramics from the Maritime Silk Road and a scroll depicting piracy in the 19th century are among the objects that fascinate. Subjects illuminated by the Heritage Museum include Cantonese opera, Bruce Lee, martial arts novelist Jin Yong, and rituals in the New Territories. Kids will love the massive children’s gallery.

Housed in a former pingpong parlour, Ping Pong 129 pays homage to Hong Kong’s heritage, with local art and window grills. This gin bar attracts cocktail lovers ardent about its tipple of choice – 40-plus varieties, served Spanish gintoneria-style. Diners flock to the neon-drenched arcade-like space known as Happy Paradise for its ‘neo-Chinese’ cuisine and inventive cocktails like Kowloon Soy Smash, a citrus-tinged tribute to an old soy sauce maker. Fantastical Iron Fairies is inspired by iron ore mines, so expect an abundance of raw iron and brick, and gruff metal-making tools. These are softened by flickering candles while 10,000 preserved butterflies swaying gently on the ceiling add a fairytale touch.

A short walk from humming Stanley Market, small and secluded St Stephen’s Beach offers a stark contrast to the excitement of Stanley main beach. There are kayaks and windsurfing boards for hire in summer. Chilled Shek O Beach offers Thai restaurants, a fishing village, and bars with a view. About 2km away is windsurfers’ paradise Big Wave Bay. Repulse Bay features the unlikely marriage between beach-bumming and temple kitsch. It’s great for people watching. Serious sunbathers desiring less distraction should head to its southern neighbours, Middle Bay and South Bay.

The striking Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark with its 150km2 of volcanic and sedimentary landforms was forged after the eruption of a super volcano. You can view parts of this gem via nine hiking routes and two water routes. One goes to East Dam of High Island Reservoir, which hosts polygonal volcanic columns – geological rarities formed over 140 million years ago – a sea cave, and other arresting features. The reservoir itself is a spectacular example of Hong Kong’s reservoir architecture. East Dam lies along a world-class hiking trail, the 100km Maclehose Trail. However the best way to see the rocks and sea arches up close and learn about them from a trained guide is to join a boat tour.

You can spend a day or two chilling on Cheung Chau, a small fishing island speckled with windsurfer hang-outs and temples devoted to deities of the sea. Restaurants here tend to be cosy, as do beaches, and family-run. Fish balls, always made fresh on-site, are a specialty, and they come skewered or in a bowl of broth with flat rice noodles. The other specialty here is also round. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival sees climbers clambering up three giant towers covered with sacred buns that they grab for good luck. The exhilarating race is accompanied by a colourful floats parade and a slew of Taoist rituals.

Do

Traditional Chinese treatments

Chinese medicine takes a holistic to health maintenance, and methods to drain toxins, enhance circulation, and boost the immune system abound. Two common cutaneous stimulation techniques are cupping and skin scraping. The first places vacuumized cups on the body to create suction. The second involves scraping the skin with a smooth blunt tool, like a large pebble, until a rash appears. Acupuncture is an ancient treatment in which very thin needles are placed into the skin to stimulate targetted parts of the body. Oriental Health has an assortment of traditional therapies on offer and English speaking consultants and doctors to help you out.

There’s nothing like a night at the Happy Valley Races, if you happen to be around on a Wednesday. Over 12,000 punters packed into grandstands cheer to the pounding of hooves, turf and horses gleam under the floodlights, and trackside revelers freeze as the animals and their jockeys stream past the post. In the distance, skyscrapers, mountains as well as graveyards loom. Horseracing is a big part of ordinary life in Hong Kong. You don’t need a fancy hat to go to the races, nor much money – it’s US$2.5 to enter and another US$2.5 to place a bet (but only if you want).

Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter was where Hong Kong’s boat-dwelling fishermen used to moor their homes. The harbour is quite serene now, with vessels bobbing near the shore and high-rises and shipyards in the distance. You can cross the harbour on a sampan from Aberdeen to Ap Lei Chau; longer tours are possible too – speak to the operators hanging around Aberdeen Promenade. All journeys go past the flamboyant Jumbo Floating Restaurant (which serves solid dim sum by the way). To the east of Aberdeen is the industrial town of Wong Chuk Hang, now bursting with trendy spaces like Spring Workshop, a gallery specializing in music and film, and craft brewery, Young Master Ales, which you can tour by emailing ahead.

Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is an opulent affair with silver tiered trays, fine bone china, and a live string quartet. The hotel’s Neo-Classical grandeur and pristine service still wow after 100 years, not to mention the excellent tea and warm scones with homemade clotted cream. At NOC Coffee & Roaster, coffee lovers are afforded a front-row seat to a lively market. Sip a decorated latte at this cosy spot and let Hong Kong roar on around you. Over at tiny-but-trendy Winston’s, hot drinks come paired with a side of biscotti; better yet, they transition into serving cocktails come nightfall. Expect a ‘90s-inspired playlist, hipster clientele, and friendly staff.

Housed in a heritage building belonging to a former dairy, the Fringe Club has long been a champion of the local music scene, with live shows regularly showing off a diverse range of talent, from acoustic jazz to indie rock. At music lounge Peel Fresco, the emphasis is upon jazz, but also blues and rock, played in an intimate setting. There is live music six nights a week. Saturday is when it gets crowded. Hidden Agenda, aka This Town Needs, is Hong Kong’s premier indie livehouse. From its location in Kowloon, it has hosted the likes of Alcest and Pitchtuner, as well as bands from Greater China like Chochukmo and Carsick Cars.

The historic Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market operates out of quaint century-old stone sheds with gables and colonial-style pediments. Stalls are open for retail during the day, selling excellent fruit at reasonable prices, but the market is busiest from 2am to 4am when the boxes arrive and the big transactions take place. Nearby Temple Street Night Market turns into a sensual feast at dusk. Bulbs flicker in fortune-teller tents, customers haggle over cheap merchandize as Cantonese opera is heard above the wok-clanging of the daipaidongs. Whether it’s long-stem roses in buckets, pots of oregano or orchids, even expensive bonsai trees, you’ll find them at Mongkok’s Flower Market, plus everything you’ll need to keep them healthy.

Soho and Sheung Wan are full of antique shops that have been run by the same family for generations. Real antiques don’t usually come cheap, but if you’re not a stickler for history and provenance, it is possible, with some patience, to find affordable and attractive items. Lam Gallery at 61 Hollywood Road stocks valuable sculptures and sculpted art from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Over at Chan Shing Kee, explore the range of fine classical Chinese furniture and objects from the scholar’s studio. For a twist on antiquity, Forbidden City specializes in contemporary Chinese furniture that melds traditional Chinese design with modern minimalism.

The scenic Stanley Waterfront Promenade starts from Blake Pier, navigates past pubs and restaurants, to end at the pleasantly labyrinthine Stanley Market where heaps of affordable clothes and souvenirs await. Hong Kong’s most iconic skyline is best admired from the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade, Star Ferry end. It extends all the way to the Hung Hom train station, past museums, and the Avenue of Stars, a tribute to the Hong Kong cinema. The Island’s answer to the TST East Promenade is the Central Waterfront Promenade which runs from the Central Star Ferry Pier to Wan Chai, traversing through the lawns of Tamar Park, and brushing shoulders with Statue Square and the HKSAR government headquarters.
*Most of the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade is closed for renovation through late 2018.

An hour by jetfoil from Hong Kong is the former Portuguese colony of Macau. While its reputation as ‘Vegas of the East’ is known far and wide, being host to dozens of excellent casinos, glamour and gambling are not the city’s only attractions. Macau’s cobbled streets are also home to Baroque villas, cannon forts, and churches in dazzling pink and lemon; and alongside them, temples, courtyard houses, and the oldest lighthouse on the South China coast. Two dozen of these monuments, the oldest dating to the 16th century, are inscribed on the Unesco Heritage list. Perhaps the easiest way to sample Mediterrasian hybridity is at the dining table. Macanese cuisine takes inspiration from at least four continents, sometimes all at once, and it’s delicious.

Do

Gadgets and gizmos

Located in Kowloon's bustling Mong Kok district, Mong Kok Computer Centre is a hot spot for computer hardware, software, and digital multi-media products and accessories. Conditions are a tad crammed, but unlimited wifi access at Cyber Spot Wifi Zone on the third floor means shoppers can sit down and take a break when needed. Tech addicts will also love Broadway, a one-stop electronics chain with dozens of retail outlets. Whether you're after the latest digital cameras and lenses, audio and video products, watches, or home appliances, Broadway stocks a wide selection from all the top brands.

The excellent Museum of Art has seven galleries dedicated to Hong Kong art, Chinese antiquities and historical pictures. The Flagstaff Museum of Teaware in Admiralty, which it also runs, displays exquisite tea ware from the 11th to the 20th century in an old colonial building. The private Liang Yi Museum has 400 pieces of precious Chinese antique furniture, shown on rotation. Complimenting these are Chinese-inspired European vanities from the 19th and 20th centuries. You can only visit Liang Yi by joining a small tour; make contact in advance. Industrial Kwun Tong is home to one of the several Osage Galleries that dot the city. Known to promote challenging contemporary artwork, Osage has curated exhibitions by leading Asian artists like Wilson Shieh and Charwei Tsai.
* The Museum of Art is currently closed for renovation. It is expected to reopen in mid-2019.

At 19th century Man Mo Temple, worshippers pray under hanging incense coils that fill the air with smoke. The resident deities here are the God of Literature (‘Man’) and the God of War (‘Mo’), seen formidably wielding a writing brush and a sword. Located in the Ngong Ping plateau of Lantau Island next to an enormous bronze statue of the Buddha, Po Lin Monastery is a favourite amongst Buddhist pilgrims across Asia. Arrive in style by cable car from Tung Chung metro station. Over in Taipo, every care has been taken to replicate the elegant aesthetics of the Tang dynasty at Tsz Shan Monastery. The highlight of this vast property is a stunning 76m-tall statue of the Goddess of Compassion. Book online a month ahead to visit.

The striking tower of glass and aluminium known as the HSBC Headquarters is the work of Normal Foster. The bronze lions guarding the 52-storey mammoth, however, were born in the 1930s – say hi to Stephen and Stitt. The even taller Bank of China Tower nearby, designed by IM Pei, has cubes and faceted prisms that rise to 70 storeys. Bamboo shoots or knife – what do you think? Lara Croft and Batman have leapt off Two IFC, the silvery 88-storey colossus designed by Cesar Pelli that has come to symbolize Hong Kong’s financial power.

At Brass Spoon, soul-warming bowls of pho bo are served with the namesake utensil, and heaps of herbs. You can customize your order on a slip of paper, ramen shop-style. (Hold the coriander?) Kowloon City is nicknamed ‘Little Bangkok’ for the dozen streets that heave with unassuming but delicious Thai restaurants and snack stalls. Cambo is a long-standing local favourite. Sushi fans wanting to splurge should head to Sushi Shikon for the exquisite omakase dinner (or the nigiri set lunch) which has won the subdued 14-seat establishment three Michelin stars several years in a row.

Generations have counted on Spring Deer for tasty northern Chinese fare like roasted lamb, Peking duck, and fried banana fritters. Though plainly adorned, the old-timer with the poetic name still delivers, therefore booking is essential. Exuding 1920s Shanghai sophistication, Ye Shanghai offers a different vibe but the cooking is equally remarkable. At lunch, the lovely tea-smoked eggs and radish puff pastry are joined by a selection of Cantonese dim sum. Top-notch Sichuan restaurant San Xi Lou doesn’t skimp on the chillies and Sichuan peppercorns. Fiery dishes are fiery (as they should be), but also expertly nuanced, and discerning palates will note the freshness of the ingredients.

The Central Police Compound has reincarnated into Tai Kwun art and heritage centre, with the help of architects Herzog & Meuron et al. The cluster of 16 handsome colonial structures, now housing galleries, theatres, shops and studios, had belonged to a police station, a magistrate’s court and a prison in the 19th century. Efforts to revitalize the three vividly coloured 1920s shophouses known as the Blue House cluster received a top Unesco award for conservation. Visits to the interior are possible only by joining a tour, as there are residents. But you can freely check out the shops, restaurants, bars and bone-setting clinic outside. The historic Police Married Quarters has transformed itself into PMQ, a hub for creative types. Cultural exhibitions, and trendy pop-up shops keep the space buzzing.

When it comes to fruits of the sea, Hong Kongers’ swear by freshness. Seafood eateries here follow a similar set-up – select your live fish, mollusc or crustacean from tanks in the restaurant or markets nearby, and the restaurant will cook it for you. Fishing village Lei Yue Mun teems with dated but top-notch seafood restaurants. Long-standing Lung Mun is known for fried mantis shrimp and poached lobster. Michelin-star winner Sing Kee in the wave-lapped town of Sai Kung takes pride in its daily shipments of live seafood. Bustling Sam Shing Hui Seafood Market in the New Territories lies next to a shower of stalls and restaurants, ready to steam, fry or sautee whatever you picked a la minute.

You can buy all manner of Hong Kong-themed products from the quirky to the memorable at Goods of Desire aka G.O.D. – fridge magnets, furniture, aprons and underwear, you name it. Designed with a cheeky retro twist that has come to be associated with the brand, the items make unique souvenirs. Humour clearly sells and Takeout Comedy Club knows that too. Founded by a Chinese-American, the club throws English-speaking sessions at least twice a week by international and local experts of LOL; while Stand-up Hong Kong stages bilingual shows by drawing on its pool of English-speaking and Cantonese-speaking comedians.

The fortified hamlets in the New Territories, known as walled villages, were built several centuries ago by some of Hong Kong’s earliest immigrants to defend themselves against pirates. They have tall, thick walls, watch towers, some even cannons. The best preserved villages belong to the mighty Tang clan, and make up the Ping Shan Heritage Trail (Yuen Long) and the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail (Fanling). A spectacular ancestral hall and a gallery housed in an old police station are among highlights of the former; while the latter meanders through five villages with sumptuous halls and temples. When hungry, stop at a village cha chaan teng for a Hong Kong-style French toast.

Chinese martial arts has a strong philosophical dimension. It is practised not only with the aim of attack, but also self-defence and self-improvement. Some kungfu schools in Hong Kong offer short courses in English. They won’t turn you into Bruce Lee overnight, but they may help you achieve a more balanced mind and a stronger body. Wing Chun Yip Man Martial Arts Association in Tsim Sha Tsui specializes in southern kungfu styles like Wing Chun, while Wan Kei Ho International Martial Arts Association in Sheung Wan teaches the northern school of Shaolin kungfu, as well as tai chi. Both also give lessons in lion dancing.

The super luxurious Spa at the Four Seasons will make you feel truly pampered. Any beauty or massage regime you’ve heard of (and a few you haven’t), you’ll find it here, anticipating your every need or whim. Also classy but less superlatively decadent, Kowloon’s Peninsula Spa offers an assortment of Western and Asian treatments, plus maternity massage. The ‘tea and massage’ package, involving a spa session followed by the acclaimed Peninsula afternoon tea, is hugely popular. If you want to escape the city, book a treatment at Spa Botanica at the Auberge Discovery Bay Hotel. Request the couple's room with a Jacuzzi to enjoy a relaxing soak after your treatment.

Dried seafood shops stacked with jars of sun-dried sea life – umami bombs used in many Cantonese dishes – can be found in Yau Ma Tei and Western. Also in Western, along Queen’s Road West, incense shops sell paper offerings for the dead – piles of hell notes, and worldly luxuries like villas and Viagra tablets, in papier mache. They are burnt as gifts to keep the departed happy. The area centred around Tai Ping Shan Street in Sheung Wan is home to a handful of coffin makers and shops for burial garments, remnants of a funereal industry that thrived in what was known as the ‘Chinese quarter’ in early colonial days.

Do

A hiker’s heaven

Hiking in Hong Kong is world-class, with dozens of trails winding through the territory’s open spaces. Dragon’s Back on Hong Kong Island is a perennial favourite for good reason – the moderately difficult 8.5km hike curves along undulating coastal ridges, offering a mix of spectacular seaside scenery and secluded forest. At 495 metres up, the panoramic vistas from the peak of Lion Rock – a granite-topped mountain in north Kowloon – makes the huffing and puffing worthwhile. An easier option is the one-hour Sheung Yiu Family Trail in Sai Kung. Start your trek with a visit to the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, originally a Hakka village built in the 19th century.

Good Spring Company is an old-fashioned Chinese pharmacy on Cochrane Street that has been selling medicinal herbs and herbal teas for over a century. The freshly brewed drinks sit in silver urns bearing ornamental Chinese lions. The bitter but popular ‘24 herbs’ is supposed to cool bodily systems overheated by fried foods and long nights. Vintage charm is what sets Kung Lee apart from its trendy neighbours on Hollywood Road. Its fresh sugar cane juice is an effective antidote to excessive drinking. A shophouse with European-type embellishments, Lui Seng Chun in Kowloon is home to a Chinese medicine school, and a herbal tea shop on the ground floor. You can also make an appointment to have your pulse taken by a doctor.

Any trip to Hong Kong is not complete without a ride on the legendary Star Ferry. This fleet of green and white double-decker ferries is a moving heritage that has been plying the waters of Victoria Harbour since the late 1880s. Though lasting no more than 15 minutes, the ride takes you past Hong Kong’s most iconic scenery – in the foreground, the shimmering harbour crisscrossed by vessels, in the background jade-green mountain-tops, and between them, architectural wonders in their splendid geometry. The Star Ferry has recently pledged US$7.1million to retrofit all its vessels with an eco-friendly system but fares will remain the same.

Residential Ap Lei Chau may seem a little sleepy, compared to Aberdeen across the typhoon shelter. But in fact some of Hong Kong’s best family shopping can be had on this small island. Housed in a converted factory building, the enormous outlet Horizon Plaza has 25 floors of well over a hundred shops carrying everything from designer chairs to designer cupcakes. They include a slew of furniture shops where you can buy a dining table or have one tailor-made to your choice. Top-tier fashion brands and stores like Max Mara and Lane Crawford, keep ‘warehouses’ here selling off-season items at lowered prices. An entire floor is devoted to kiddies' stuff, from toys and books to clothing and furniture.

An old military site, Kowloon Park is a banyan-graced oasis in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. The original barracks now house the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. Outside there are lawns, dappled pathways and fountains, but also swimming pools and children’s play areas. Over on the Island, Victoria Peak is checkered with nature walks for the family. A short walk up Mount Austin Road is the site of a former governor’s lodge, the lovely Victoria Peak Garden, complete with vertiginous views and faux-Victorian gazebos. Remember to pack a picnic basket when you go. A statue of Queen Victoria stands near the main entrance of Victoria Park, Hong Kong’s largest park. Locals treat it as their own backyard, coming to exercise, socialize and ponder the meaning of life.

From swings and see-saw to ornate monkey bars, the excellent Middle Road Children’s Playground in Tsim Sha Tsui caters to youngsters of all ages, and their parents – the leafy park is generous with benches and harbour views. The pleasantly landscaped Hong Kong Park sits between mountains and skyscrapers in Admiralty. Its most attractive feature is a rainforest-like aviary with a wooden bridge that allows you to see any number of its 600 feathered residents up close. Just across the road is Hong Kong’s oldest park, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens which first opened its gates in the 19th century. This serene patch of greenery is home to an impressive number of endangered animals and charming Victorian structures.

Bite-sized sandwiches of scallop, shrimp, and pear, pastries stuffed with an entire abalone are just samples of what diners can expect at consistent Michelin star-plucker, Lung King Heen. Cantonese cuisine is elevated here, with service and harbour views to match. At Bo Innovation, the commonplace pork dumpling evokes a mustard blob in transparent casing, and salted mustard greens reincarnate as ice-cream. Be ready to have (delectable) fairy dust thrown over your eyes by the self-professed ‘demon chef’ of Hong Kong’s edgiest Michelin star winner. Another recipient Shang Palace greets with imperial grandeur while an equally dignified menu serves authentic dishes with an occasional twist, like lobster topped with crisp oatmeal.

Sai Kung Town is a convenient spring-board to the rugged 7500-hectare majesty that is Sai Kung Country Park. But the town itself is a delight to visit. From mango desserts and Thai noodles to Michelin-star seafood, it’s packed with deliciousness. Sai Kung Waterfront Park is a balmy promenade with views of floating dragon boats and fishermen hawking live catch from moored vessels. Spend a few hours exploring the town, shopping and grazing, then board a ferry to one of the secluded beaches on the offshore islands and spend the rest of the day sun-bathing.

Nothing expresses the ritualistic roots of dragon-boat racing better than the Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, deity statues are paraded through the waters of the fishing village on dragon boats, as residents of stilt houses burn offerings to ask for peace. The dragon-boat race comes afterwards – one of many such races that take place monthly all over Hong Kong between March and October. At the Mid-Autumn Festival, a ‘fire dragon’, 70m and stuck with 70,000 incense sticks, is paraded by hundreds of people through the quiet neighbourhood of Tai Hang, as it has every year since 1880. Over in Aberdeen, a similar but smaller dragon dances through Pok Fu Lam Village, seeking good luck and protection.

With 360-degree panoramic views from its sky deck, killer cocktails and modern Asian cuisine, CÉ LA VI is where the beautiful people come to party. Meanwhile over on stylish Sevva’s dimly-lit terrace, more spectacular skyline is on offer, including prime positioning to watch the nightly ‘Symphony of Lights’ light and sound show. Occupying the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, M Bar oozes worldly sophistication, its cocktail menu merging Asia-inspired flavours with world-class spirits. Or there’s the aptly-named Eyebar, which provides an eyeful of Victoria Harbour from the 30th-floor of a skyscraper. Stop by between 6-9pm on weekdays for happy hour.

CCTs, literally ‘tea restaurants’, appeared in the 1940s serving cheap Western-style tea and sandwiches to those for whom authenticity was a luxury. They’re known for their Hong Kong-style snacks and neck-breaking speed. Local legend Australia Dairy Company has a crew of gruff, no-nonsense waiters who belies the fluffy egg sandwiches and silken puddings served. Atmosphere is what sets Mido Café, a hangout of cultural types, apart. Ask for a window seat on the upper floor for the scenery, and admire the retro latticework on your way up. The original Lan Fong Yuen on Gage Street is the purported inventor of the heady Hong Kong milk tea, which is sometimes mixed with coffee (and doused with evaporated milk) to become ‘yin yeung’ or ‘tea-coffee’ – now that’s really local.

Pure Massage is a big Chinese-style massage chain in Hong Kong, with a dozen outlets across the territory. Settle into an oversized chair for one of their famed foot massages, soak your feet in a pail of warm herbalized water, and let the masseuse do the rest. Ten Feet Tall offers body and foot massages in well-designed contemporary surroundings in Central. With branches in Central and Wan Chai, Happy Foot is happy to treat sore feet and stiff back muscles to some TLC after a day of pounding the pavements. Wherever you choose to go, let the masseuse know if the pressure is right so they can adjust if need be.

Bookings to Macau can only be made with travel dates departing/returning between 3 and 180 days from today.

Show me flexible travel dates (plus or minus 3 days)

Select departure date
Select return dateSelect return date

passenger / cabin class

Passengers departing the UK, and aged 12 to 15, are exempted from the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) Tax, effective 1 March 2016. Passengers booking online can request an APD Tax refund by contacting the local reservations office or Global Contact Centres.

Booking of more than six passengers is currently not available online. Please contact your local reservations office.

Please note that for online bookings, infants under two will not occupy their own seat. To book an infant-occupied seat, or if your infant turns two during your trip, please contact your local reservations office.

Please note that for online bookings, infants under two will not occupy their own seat. To book an infant-occupied seat, or if your infant turns two during your trip, please contact your local reservations office.